07

On the road, I wonder what Yayi Lee was playing. Have I become an object of decoration for the youngest president of Africa? I arrive at Calavi very thoughtful. What is happening; i will be turning 20 soon and my life cannot be meant to be decoration for a man.

Two days before my twentieth birthday, Stéphane and I had been admitted to the baccalaureate. That was the goal and I couldn't be happier. I receive an SMS from Yayi.

Yayi: Congratulations!

Ashley: Thanks.

After nothing else the discussion will end there. On the side of my uncles, nothing is going any more after having returned the money of Mr. Diallo. They no longer paid attention to their expenses. My moped had been sold in record time. But hey who does not want to work must know how to manage. On my birthday, I received a car as a gift I had to make my license order from the Boss. My Idriss, who had been enrolled in an elite elementary school, had made many friends with very curious mothers.

I'll cook a good meal for my champion. We were at the table when Yayi's right arm arrived and gave me his phone. On the other end of the phone was Mr. Yayi. A single sentence rings in my ears:

Late at night, the door opens I see a silhouette entering the room. He puts down his jacket, undresses and goes to the shower. I go downstairs to warm him up and serve him the dish I had prepared for him before going to bed. A few minutes later I see his right arm getting his suitcase up.

It was now clear that I was going to do the ones I got paid for the past two years. While he was eating, he motioned for me to sit down. I take a seat next to him.

Yayi: 1-You're never going to be Isabelle's place so don't try. She is and will remain my wife I owe her everything.

Ashley: I never wanted to take his place.

Yayi: 2- I think you know that I am no longer just the general manager so you are going to be very careful about everything that comes out of your mouth and who you talk to.

Ashley: Okay I got it.

Yayi: Tomorrow we'll go see your aunt, your mother's little sister.

Ashley: Why do you want to go see her. She doesn't know anything about the two of us.

Yayi: She knows that. I spoke to him 2 months ago. We will go to your father's village to see the other members of your family.

Ashley: But what do you want to do over there?

Yayi: Our traditional wedding. Isabelle knows about you. Traditions at home allow me to take two wives.

Ashley: Why marry me if you only want one thing?

Yayi puts down his fork and smiles at me.

Yayi: I want to avoid a scandal and then I don't just want your butt, I want you. I'm not going to touch you. I leave you the choice to think. If you agree, we continue otherwise I make those why you have this house and to God forever.

Ashley: Wait what will I be? The married whore?

Yayi: Define yourself as you want that is your problem. I will respect my contract with you. In front of your family you have the status of married woman afterwards, the rest you do as you wish.

Ashley: As I wish Yayi? I am confused.

While continuing to eat he told me in a calm voice.

Yayi: Yes as you wish but never dare to cheat on me I have already told you I never share so for your own good, be faithful.

Ashley: But I don't know how I'm going to do it. Idriss, I cannot take him on this adventure.

Yayi: I know about her condition your aunt explained to me. He is in good hands. He will never lack for anything.

Ashley: It's all my life without him I have nothing. What will you do if he gets temperamental? He has these difficult times you don't seem ...

Yayi laughs again as he puts down his fork and turns to me.

Yayi: You think I don't have patience with children do you? Listen, my employees are my children. Even though I don't have children, I have more than 7 nieces and nephews so don't worry.

He resumes his dinner. I had thousands of questions in my head I ask them he answers me and while we were talking, I see Idriss coming down the stairs towards me and sticking to my breasts. He hadn't seen Yayi. He was thirsty I take him to drink water in the kitchen then to pee I put him to bed I sit on the bed and watch him. With Yayi Lee by my side, he'll never miss a thing. His future was secure and even if something happened to me there would be someone safer than my uncles to take care of him. I close my eyes for a minute 'I had nothing to lose and more security than with Yayi Lee I won't find it anywhere.

The next morning I wake up and here is Idriss lying in the middle of us two I watch them both sleep and I say to myself.

I hear the little one whispering in his sleep, even while sleeping he dreams of pain au chocolat that's what his life must be all about. He was my little boy. He doesn't have to worry about his age. After everyone woke up, breakfast was already ready. Yayi didn't have any questions for he could see my answer in my face. He tells me.

Yayi: We leave around 11 am be ready.

I nod my head 'Stéphane doesn't understand anything but he is silent. At the same time, Yayi's phone rings and he leaves.

Stéphane: Give birth.

Ashley: Not now.

Idriss: Mom, you forgot my lunch.

Ashley: No my love you are not going to school today. We ura at tata Martine's house she misses you, she wants to see us.

Idriss: Okay who's the man?

Yayi: Me it's Yayi Lee you it's Idriss Mensah isn't it?

Idriss: Yeah, how do you know my name?

Yayi: Your mom told me. I can't find my pains au chocolat in the kitchen anymore. Do you know where they went?

Idriss: I ate them. They were there all sad in the kitchen I had to eat them. Ask mom to buy you some, she's got where to buy them.

Yayi: Okay okay. Idriss, I want to become your mom's little darling, what do you think? You are the man of the house.

Idriss: As long as I remain her biggest darling, it's good but what does her little darling mean?

Yayi: That means I want to be your second daddy.

Idriss gets down from his seat and takes the phone from the table and calls his classmate.

Idriss: Hello hello madam, is Hervé there? Yes I wait there is no problem.

Yayi, Stéphane and I watch him amaze. And there bam, Yayi received his answer with the condition he burst out laughing.

Idriss: Hervé it's me yes I also have a daddy now and he's taller than your daddy. So Monday you are going to lose. Bye.

Ashley: What's going to happen next Monday at school?

Idriss: Everyone brings their daddy to play soccer, Yayi do you know how to play soccer?

Yayi: Even in basketball.

Idriss: So I agree '

Idriss runs to the living room to light his cartoon I am speechless. Did this boy just give me in marriage to Daniel for a game of football? You should have seen the proud gaze of Mr. Yayi. He knew that if Idriss had said no, it was all over. He played his game well. Two days later, I explained everything to Stéphane.

Stéphane: At least it's the President of the Republic who took your virginity not a zigoto yesterday. And then he wants to marry you it's the most important for us you have your ring you are his wife.

Ashley: Yeah but that doesn't change anything I'm his private prostitute.

Stéphane: Don't say that. Once the ring is on your finger, we don't care about the rest. Get that nasty word out of your head and take charge of your own life.

The same day my aunt Martine and her husband Max went to my uncles to tell them the news of my traditional wedding.

Martine: Joseph we've come to see you to tell you about Ashley's wedding.

Rodrigue: Ah she returned to better feelings

I'm calling Monsieur Diallo for him. It is he who will be happy.

Max: No no it's not this Diallo but it's another young man.

Eliane: Oh shame, she left to get pregnant by a vagabond. You see Joseph I knew it.

Martine: Éliane you are going crazy so now it's not my sister anymore now it's on her daughter you pour your venom?

Eliane: Martine told your niece that we are not going to participate in this tournament of shame, I will not go to this marriage.

Martine: Stay at home. It's not like your presence is important to anyone. Éliane must stay at home.

Max: Calm down. Rodrigue, Joseph you must be present.

Joseph: No I'm not interested, tell him we won't come. I haven't seen a dowry so I don't move.

Martine: The dowry will be paid in the village in front of the head of your family and in front of the head of our village in the presence of all '

Rodrigue: And why not here, listen, it's here where nothing.

Max: Ok no problem it's your choice Martine let's go.

In front of them Max takes his phone and calls the village chief. Joseph and Rodrigue will stay in their position, the chief immediately decides that the dowry will go to the oldest person in our family. They were the direct brothers of our grandfather, uncle Kokou and uncle Amounan. A week later my traditional wedding took place. On this occasion, I meet Claudia Lee, Yayi Lee's mother.

The next morning after the wedding ceremony, I take Idriss to school and Stéphane had gone to spend a few days with one of his sponsors in Porto-Novo. I was alone with Yayi Lee and as soon as I put my bag on the bed, I feel his hand on my stomach. Serious things were about to begin. I knew this was going to happen. It blows to me.

Yayi: Don't worry, it's your first time, I'll be gentle with you.

And it was that simple he turns me over to him wants to kiss me but I take a small step back

Ashley: I never kiss a boy I didn't like.

Yayi: So I won't kiss you if you don't want to.

Ashley: And I never did that either.

Yayi: I already know Ashley.

Ashley: Ah yes it's true why I talk so much?

Yayi: You're nervous that's all. Listen, let me do it. We're not gonna do anything crooked this is your first time.

I walk slowly towards him and he kisses me. I must admit 1 month later, I still had the taste of her lips on my mouth. He kisses me and caresses me, his hands were concentrated around me and suddenly he stops.

Yayi: Who did you kiss? You said earlier that you had never kissed a boy you didn't like.

Ashley: My ex-boyfriend from high school.

Yayi: Okay okay.

He takes back what he had started and here I am in his arms leading us to the bed. Slowly, he puts me on the bed and takes off his shirt. He was tattooed I had never seen a tattoo before at least never so close. Bending down towards me, he calmly unbuttons my shirt, he kisses my chest while lying on top of me. His hands, his breath and his caresses dominated every part of my body. I was his and he understood that this day would have been wonderful if there was not this contract between us. I fell asleep in his arms. It was Idriss who had woken me up. I had completely forgotten the time. I see him come in and he tells me with a big smile obviously very proud of him.

Yayi: I didn't want to wake you up. I went to get it myself. Don't worry, we've already eaten

Ashley: Ok ok thanks. How was it at Idriss school?

Idriss: Well that was great. Said mom can I play soccer?

Yayi: Yes go ahead I'll join you later I have to talk with mom. Go change you, I'm coming.